Drama engulfs Uganda’s parliament as MPs elect EALA Legislators

For many years now, there has been pig throwing at parliament in protest of what many Ugandan Youth activists call parliamentarians pigs who feast on taxpayers’ money without satisfaction.

By NangayiGuyson, nangayi.guyson@alleastafrica.com

Kampala, Uganda –There was drama in Uganda’s parliament Tuesday as members of the House voted for EALA legislators that will represent the country at The East African Community Parliament in Arusha, Tanzania.

On Tuesday,Uganda’s Parliament elected nine legislators to EALA but drama engulfed when one FDC candidate Ingrid Turinawe entered the House. Just as she set foot in parliament, MPs went mad rejecting her with several members heckling and booing her, some almost exchanging blows, others sing “we have rejected you because of your misbehaving and calling us pigs”.

Lubaga North MP Kato Lubwama said “how can pigs vote a person, these are the same people who have been throwing pigs at parliament calling us pigs. We have refused her and she will get Zero vote here” Kato said.

FDC candidate Ingrid Turinawe was being accused for being the master minder of the continuous pig protests at Parliament.

For many years now, there has been pig throwing at parliament in protest of what many Ugandan Youth activists call parliamentarians pigs who feast on taxpayers’ money without satisfaction. They have always blamed Mps for spending while the country has been left with increased unemployment and poverty.

Two painted piglets lay outside the Uganda parliament building in Kampala on June 17, 2014.

“Countrymen and women, I wish to report to you that the energy, time and resources I invested in the east African legislative assembly race were worth it.

As one of the two FDC candidates, it was a very challenging period for myself and those who believed in the ideals I stood for; and not because we expected it to be an ease sail through, but because we believed our participation would be a big contribution to the struggle we are engaged in.

We premised our campaign on the promise to broaden the struggle for change that would deliver us a better Uganda whose leaders will NOT poison our national politics, corrupt our leaders, mismanage our public affairs and compromise the very existence of multiparty democracy.

My candidature was for those who believed we can use every available opportunity to expose how far and what has gone so wrong with Uganda’s Politics, but also gather evidence necessary to challenge the procedures and processes in which EALA representatives are elected. A permanent solution must be sought and found.

We motivated ourselves and pushed because we never give up- and we shall never quit.

Amidst all the setbacks, at the end, 25 MPs with a conscience rose above pettiness of mockery and hate. They voted for purpose and reason. I thank you gallant honorable members who cast your vote in my favour.

I wish to inform our people and assure you that in our struggle we don’t lose. For every step we make, we get closer to our objective and once we have achieved our goal, we shall, without any doubt, reform parliament. Our parliament needs to be liberated.

To my team members, we fought courageously and gracefully. We fought as a team, we won as a team. I will not tire, I am more energized, ready, and determined to boldly fight on.

To my comrade Hon. Ibbi Florence Ekwau, together, we represented our party and supporters who trusted us to be their torch-bearers because they know we inspire millions. Let us continue to focus our energies on offering leadership to millions of Ugandans that crave for change. That is our unwritten covenant with our party and supporters.

Talking to AlleastAfricathis morning, Ingrid said “I was the winner in this campaign, my aim was to show how our parliament has become.

I wish to remind our opponents that our political contradictions- simple, serious or grave- as they may be, we should be mindful of Parliament rules, discipline and decorum.” She said

Uganda elected nine MPs to represent the Country at EALA of which six of them were from the ruling party the NRM, those included RoseAkol who polled 370 votes, Mathias Kasamba (359), Paul Musamali (350), George Odong (346), Mary Mugyenyi (341), Dennis Namara (329), plus the three from the opposition MukasaMbidde (311), Susan Nakawuki (298) and OkumuOpoka (274).

This is the second time in five years that Uganda biggest opposition party Uganda’s biggest is not to be represented in Eala. In 2012, FDC failed to field candidates after disagreements with NRM over the number of slots it should be allocated.